Unwelcomed Home Invader

My husband and oldest son were just sitting watching television this evening. My husband said, "What is that crawling on the floor." When I first saw the ugly insect, I thought that it was a potato bug, but how did it get in the house? My son did some research on the Internet and that ugly insect that I thought that was a potato bug was actually called a Jerusalem Crickets Ugliest thing I ever saw. Of course our dog was very interested.


This isn't the actual Jerusalem Cricket that was in the house. My son wants to take a picture. Go Figure! We have lived in this home for 25 years and I never have seen anything like this before. I am still curious how it got inside our house. What we found out that it is native to the Western United States and that the early rains are drawing them out of their burrows. There have been a lot sightings since our recent rains.

CERT Training

For the last week, my husband and I have been in an Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training class. It was grueling with us giving up two Saturdays (8 hours each Saturday), and 3 nights of not watching our favorite shows on television, but it was worth it. We are now certified if needed for emergencies in our town. Last Saturday was the final. When I first heard FINAL, it brought me back to the good old school days. I wasn't really big on tests. I was nervous then as I was for this final.

We had 2 groups to begin with, where we worked on cribbing (raising a heavy object-platform off of a victim (no victims underneath or no dummies used), and then we had to pair up to put out a small fire. Putting out the fire was fun because I have always seen it on tv, but never had the opportunity to really put out a small fire.

The next part was the actual final. We had 3 groups of 6 people, but somehow during the last scenario, we had 9 people. The first scenario was a bus accident. There was an earthquake and the school bus hit a telephone pole and wound up in a trench. Of course there was no real trench for us, just an empty parking lot. I was assigned to the task of taking the injured victims off of the school but, but somehow, others just took over. Go figure. Anyways, one of the victims was a young girl. She was place on the yellow tarp, which called for monitoring. I was standing by the bus, and happened to look over at the treatment area. The girl got up and started walking towards the bus. The medical person didn't notice her walking away, so I just put my arm around her shoulder and led her back to the tarp. The next thing I noticed that the young man on the red tarp (immediate or more serious victims) had his eyes closed. When I got closer, he was repeating the same phrase over and over again, which was a sign of shock. I asked the questions that we were told, but he didn't respond (sign of shock), so I covered him up with what I could find.

I had asked my husband what his role was in the bus incident, and he said that he was search and rescue. There was a man place at the back of the bus. This man had a red tag on him and a brief description of what was wrong. While the others were treating the minor injuries (not to be done on the bus, but in the treatment area), the man;s airway became obstructed. My husband noticed the man and climbed over the other victims and followed the procedure for opening up the airway. He did this twice, and the man was taken out to the red tarp to be monitored. The instructor said, "You are not supposed to be out here. You are dead!" The man replied, "He (pointing to my husband) opened up my airway."


Our oldest son could only attend a couple of the classes as he was getting ready to leave for a geology trip to Santa Cruz Island. He was the cook for the group.

Partly Clear, Partly Cloudy

No, I am not talking about the weather. It is raining here, and we are expecting rain all week long. My purchased one windshield wiper during the last rain. He was told that the left wiper was 24" and the right side is 21" We still haven't found a 21" wiper, so the driver side view through the windshield is clear, but the passenger side view is foggy or cloudy looking. We have had our Honda Odyssey for about 3 o4 4 years now, and never knew that the sizes were different.

Refrigerator Our Of Commission

We have had this refrigerator for almost 3 years now, and like it very much, but the troubles began. I noticed water on the floor, but thought that the water pipe was leaking in the back again. My oldest so noticed the water running out of the freezer (melted ice). OMG! How can something be wrong so soon. We used to buy extended warranties, but thought that it wasn't necessary this time.



So.....thank goodness there are 3 refrigerators at dh's workplace. We loaded up the perishables. The sad thing is that I just bought some chicken. I guess that if a refrigerator breaks that it would be on the day when you just loaded it up with fresh items. Updates to come

update: they ruined the refrigerator. Never found out what was wrong with the Samsung refrigerator.

That Some Kinda of Pizza

My son has me hooked on Big Mamma & Big Pappa's Pizza.



The first time he brought home a pizza, I was shocked. It was huge, but only to find out that there is another larger sizes(36"). They hand toss the dough. I watched the man do this with the 28 inch pizza dough. Amazing.

Apple Harvest Cake

I am going to make this Apple Cake




courtesy of my friend Bev from Bee Haven Acres

I can't wait to make and of course eat the cake. Thanks Bev.

New Cobbler Aprons At Country N' More

I have added a lot of new aprons at my online store. There are new Fall and Harvest theme, Christmas/Winter theme, country, and floral theme aprons. More new aprons to
come.

Cobbler aprons are made from pre-shrunk 100 percent cotton fabric.
You get two aprons in one.
Cobbler aprons fit waits up to 50 inches.
There are two large pockets on each side of the cobbler apron.
All edges are top=stitched.

http://www.countrynmore.com/cobbler-aprons-70/

Vintage Apron For Theater Production

I thought that I would share a picture of the apron that I made for a theater production up in northern California. It really did turn out cute and worth the struggle that I had with the bodice.

A Man And His Hot Sauce-Homemade That Is

My son likes his hot chile peppers and especially hot sauce. The hotter the peppers are and the hotter the hot sauce is the better it is. My son has been growing chile peppers for several years now, and has recently grown Carribean Red Chili Peppers. The plant is producing large amounts of Carribean Red chile peppers, which makes him very happy.





The Carribean Red Chile Red pepper 300,000 - 475,000 Scovilles. The Carribean red habanero is about twice as hot as a regular habanero. This extremely hot pepper, originally from the Yucatn peninsula in Mexico, is now also cultivated in the Carribean and around North America.


This is the recipe that he made up for his homemade hot sauce:

Homemade Hot sauce
makes one quart

3 cups coarsely chopped peppers (stems removed)
2 cups white vinegar
1 tablespoons salt

Put all the ingredients in a blender or food processor; blend until smooth.

You can preserve your sauce by canning it in sterilized pint jars in a hot water bath for 35 minutes. For serving, pour into saved and cleaned bottles with a sprinkler top.

These are the same chili peppers that he used in a dish, that literally made me cough from breathing in the hot pepper smell.

Could Use Some ZZZZ....

The last time that I felt this miserable was almost a year ago, when I had walking pneumonia. This time is different, but miserable I am. It is so hard when my body wants some ZZZzzzz....





It is hard that when I need some ZZZzzz...every one around me is sound asleep.

What do you do when you feel miserable to pass the time? No use in trying to go to sleep again for now. Maybe, the chance will come that I can finally get some shut-eye.

I Have Met My Match

I have finally met my match. Sometimes, I don't mind a challenge, but this time the vintage apron pattern won. Looks can be deceiving. Before taking on the project of making this vintage apron for a theater production, I thought no problem. I was wrong. I feel like I am just learning to sew again. So frustrating.

I feel like I am back in junior high and that I am just beginning to learn to sew. Sigh.....

The apron is now ready to be fitted, so now it is just waiting and seeing. The apron is not completely finished, but I will finish it after it is brought back from the fitting.

Home Made Jelly From Our Wild Grapes

Part of the collection of grape jelly. The jelly tastes delicious. We used 1 gallon for grape juice to have in the mornings. We have given some to our neighbors, and of course my mom wants some on a regular basis. I guess it is hard to tell how many jars. Total tally 40 (8 oz. jars) and 2 Large jelly jars. We harvest 25 lbs. of grapes.

Full Bounty of Grapes

My son and I planted tw0 California Red Grape plants in our backyard over a year ago now. This is the first time that we harvested the grapes off of the bushes. All in all, we harvested about 17 pounds of grapes. My son found 5 more pounds of grapes. Time to make jelly, since the grapes are small and have seeds.













Well, I finally was able to take a couple pictures, although it is hard to tell much there are. Lets say that I have a HUGE bowl full and a slightly smaller bowl full. I am going to work on the jelly today.

In God's Hand

My youngest son leaves for school today. If you didn't know, my youngest son was accepted at a college here in California, but one that is far enough that he needed a place to live close to school. We found a place for him to rent, which is about 3 blocks from the school. We had found another place, but this place was better.

I will no longer wait up at night when he goes out with friends before I can feel comfortable going to sleep at night. He is now in God's hands, just like he has always been.

Having A Good Laugh

Well, my husband, oldest son, and I went to our friend's house for the outside movie, etc.night out. It is honestly amazing. It is like a drive-in, although instead of using cars, we sit outside in comfy chairs. The movie screen has been replaced by a large white melamine board attached to a forklift (used in their business), and complete with surround sound. We watched a Pink Floyd Concert DVD, Jeff Bunham It is absolutely hysterical. Jeff has several characters and they each have a character of their own.
We also watched a very funny movie. I haven't had this much fun in a long time. It is good to get out with friends and just have a good laugh.

In Need Of Repair

I like my sewing machine, but I really do put it through a lot, especially with all the sewing that I do. Well, it is time for a rest and for a visit to the repairman. I was told that it may take as long as 15 days. Sigh....The repairman said that the only other repair shop in the area filed for bankruptcy and closed down. I have another machine, but it is old and I have never used it before. I think that we become comfortable with the familiar, so it is hard to use something else.

I have been away from blog land because of all the sewing lately, so if you happen to stop by, thank you for that.

Oppososte Sides Of The Wall

We live on a cul-de-sac street which has a block wall that divides us from the neighbors on the other side. Originally when they were building our homes, the contractors began tearing down the wall, but the neighbors on the other side of the wall fought it tooth and nail, and I am glad that they did. It is quiet, because the usually cars that drive on our street are visiting our neighbors or it is our neighbors.

What is odd, is that some of the people on the other side will have groceries in their hands and instead of taking the nearby street to reach their hone, they jump the wall at the end of our street.

Actually, our side of the wall is much quieter than that of the other side. It is like night and day. We have been neighbors, some of us for 26 years, while others it ranges from 10-20 plus years. While we have quiet neighbors, there is one particular neighbor on the other side (we think that there are several individuals living there), where they will rev their engines at all hours of the night.

Lately, our side has been a lot noisier than usual, but it isn't because of our neighbors, but that of the actions taken on the other side. Over the past week, we have heard helicopters searching for individuals and have learned that there were have been shootings by rival gang members. Unfortunately, the individuals have not been caught, and it seems like is an almost daily activity or weekly activity. This is disturbing to me because I like our area because it is usually so peaceful.

Creatures In Unusual Places, Etc.

Today, I found out that my husband discovered a opossum in a box on our patio. In the 26 years that we have lived in this house, the opossums have stayed in our neighbor's tree. My husband came inside the house yelling. "I banged on the screen door, but no one came out."



This isn't the actual opossum, but thought that I would add it anyways.

My youngest son was accepted to Cal State Fullerton. There are no dorms available at the college, so he needed to find a place to rent. I am glad that at least I was part of the conversation when he was contacted by a retired couple. It sounds great, but as usual, I will remain home (not of my choosing). My husband will be going with our son to check out the place. The only thing that I can think of is that it is a bonding day between father and son. My husband works too hard, so I see my sons more than he does. I am thankful that I was able to be home since they were infants. My husband didn't have that opportunity.

If they ask where is your mom, I would love to hear that response. I could just tag along, but then I feel like I am "tagging along", and disrupting whatever plans they may have. Sigh.....It will be quiet around here this year.

Winner of the Country Gift Book Give-Away

Wow! It is already to announce the winner of the terrific give-away.

The winner is Annie (njaw09)

Annie, congratulations on winning. Please e-mail me so that I can send you the book.

I hope that I can see the e-mail. I have been having trouble with my e-mail account.

Over The Rainbow & White Water Rafting

My son didn't take his camera, but his professor took the first picture. It looks like the rainbow is in the palm of my son's hand. The picture is so cool! My son also went white water rafting for the first time along the Colorado River.









A trip that will last a life time, and a trip he will always remember, including both the good and bad events.